Her most commonly discussed reversal is in Scheidler v. National Organization for Women (2003), in which an 8-1 Court (Stevens dissenting) rejected the Seventh Circuit's application of RICO laws in a suit against abortion protest groups. But Wood's opinion was a judgment primarily about injunctive relief and the breadth of the racketeering statute, not on the right to provide an abortion or to protest.

"That's her Achilles' heel," said Curt Levey, executive director of the Committee for Justice, which opposes Wood's rulings on abortion. "It tells you that she's probably not going to be selected, because Obama doesn't have the stomach for this to be about an abortion debate."

In revisiting a decade-old Supreme Court ruling that made abortions harder to obtain, Wood clearly took a pro-choice stance. But is this ruling radical or outside the mainstream of constitutional thought? Only if the right has succeeded in stifling every last judicial impulse to ensure that women can have unburdened access to abortion.

Meanwhile, liberals are enthusiastic about Wood. "Not only does Wood have basically sound views, but she has a track record of using those views to actually make a difference," Kevin Drum wrote at Mother Jones. "She speaks her mind and doesn't back down from a fight, but she also knows how to win fights. That's something we need right now." Glenn Greenwald, who isn't a fan of potential nominee Elena Kagan, says Wood has a "long, clear, inspiring record." Fellow liberal blogger John Amato called it a "compelling case."

It'll be interesting to see which way Obama leans this time around, taking into account Justice Sotomayor's confirmation and retiring Justice Stevens' leanings. I think Obama will choose another woman candidate to try to add more balance to the court's composition.

It'll be interesting to see which way Obama leans this time around, taking into account Justice Sotomayor's confirmation and retiring Justice Stevens' leanings. I think Obama will choose another woman candidate to try to add more balance to the court's composition.